Many want to upgrade at Center in Linderbaum and draft a safety at 5 in Caleb Downs.
They offer an improvement in talent, which is great but they do not actually fill holes in our staring line up.
It will be interesting to see how NYG will create more cap space, if they will cut Okereke and or Runyan and create 2 more holes on the roster, or just go with extensions and restructurings, and cut Gano, Singletary, Hudson.
pretty much need everything, which is not surprising given how bad this team has been for the last 10 years.
Despite that, draft needs are irrelevant on days one and two, when you just draft the BPA, regardless of position. The only exceptions are QB, if you already have one, and RB, because good RBs can be found on day three.
Even on day three we should strongly favor taking the BPA, but I am fine taking need into account at that point as long as the grades are close.
Just based on where the roster sits right now. We can say ILB but Okereke as of today is still under contract and isn't a bad player. Pending FAs like Wan'Dale will be assumed not part of the 2026 team.
1. WR - It's Nabers (with a huge injury ? mark) and Slayton and camp fodder. It's not something you can go into next season with. Doesn't mean you have to draft WR at #5 overall, but right now it's the thinnest position.
2. RT - Mbow is the only candidate for RT as of today. He's more suited to be the swing and developmental/future LT if all goes well.
3. RG - The only potential RG under contract for '26 is Jake Kubas on a futures deal, unless you count Mbow as a possibility there (I don't). GVR, Stinnie, Schlottman, Ezeudu, and Evan Neal are all free agents. That's almost your entire interior depth chart. Could flip flop this to #2 but the only reason I didn't is because it's easier to hide a problematic RG than it is a RT. Still, combined, this team has two glaring holes on the right side that must be addressed, and quality depth is also very important.
4. IDL - It all starts in the trenches. Dex is here for now, Roy Robertson-Harris is a cut-candidate, and Darius Alexander is promising. But you still need at least one impact DT and the depth quality, and those guys will get significant snaps, isn't there. You can make an argument the Giants will need 3 quality DL between FA and the draft.
5. CB - There's Adebo at one boundary corner, Phillips as a slot corner, and then you have question marks at the other boundary corner. Can this staff revive Banks as a player? Dubious. Can Rico Payton be a surprise impact starter? Who knows, but you can't count on these things. Can't have an obvious liability at CB.
That's my top 5. Just outside of that is ILB, because it's Okereke, Muasau, and Chris Board (really a STer) at the time being.
I expect by end of FA that the top 4 of these needs (at least) will be mitigated significantly. They must be aggressive at OL at minimum, this would likely be where the largest free agent contract would go, and two of the top four largest free agent contracts, at that.
By that philosophy, hypothetically, you would draft Harry Carson (ILB) over Lawrence Taylor (OLB not an area of need) if given the choice for the current NYG. Take the best guy!
By that philosophy, hypothetically, you would draft Harry Carson (ILB) over Lawrence Taylor (OLB not an area of need) if given the choice for the current NYG. Take the best guy!
Need will break the tie if there is one. If the highest rated guys on their board are Styles and Downs and they have a say, 87 grade for both of them, for example, and say they've already cut Okereke, I expect they would take Styles.
People talk about the importance of S in Harbaugh's system, look at what he spent to acquire and sign Roquan Smith.
Inside Linebacker is a massive need if you actually want to be
At 5, if you get a great player at any position, its a huge win. Getting an above average starter at any position is a small win.
In the 2nd round, getting an above average starter is a huge win. Beyond that, getting a solid starter is a big win.
Even at 5, it's far from automatic that youre going to get a great player, especially in this draft. You can't just go to the OL store and buy the best OL. You can only pick who's there.
It's so boring to talk about, but I only care if the player is good. And you won't know that for at least 5 months after the draft, sometimes much longer.
Of fill holes in FA and drafting to add impact players. Where do we need the biggest impact
1.DL= Alexander showed flashes but we have 1 impact player and he maybe in decline. His decline puts this at the top of my list.
2.WR as above we have only 1 impact player and know prospects behind him. While we need a starter to be signed(Robinson or FA) we have to add another impact player.
3.DB - the cupboard is not bare but a lot of pieces trending the wrong way. A true impact DB changes the D and maybe brings up the play of the others.
4.OL - I expect a pair of signings so that we can be free to draft guys we can craft into good players. We really need a Swing T that can develop
QB,TE,RB-fine
WR-Tate would make this an excellent position
OL-actually our best unit overall last year...
RT/RG need vast upgrades and I am willing to give JMS one more year before I think about making a switch.
CB-this is a huge need,perhaps our biggest one.
I may even spend a big chunk of FA $ at this one.
IDL-Dexy is our best player but he needs a consistent stud next to him
ED-Fine
LB-Okereke is ok,but unless we can count on McFadden being 100%,this becomes a top priority.
S-This is a position that is not bad,but not really very good...Caleb Downs would be an excellent addition.
RE: My first real dive at a deep look at our needs pre FA/Draft
QB,TE,RB-fine
WR-Tate would make this an excellent position
OL-actually our best unit overall last year...
RT/RG need vast upgrades and I am willing to give JMS one more year before I think about making a switch.
CB-this is a huge need,perhaps our biggest one.
I may even spend a big chunk of FA $ at this one.
IDL-Dexy is our best player but he needs a consistent stud next to him
ED-Fine
LB-Okereke is ok,but unless we can count on McFadden being 100%, this becomes a top priority.
S-This is a position that is not bad,but not really very good...Caleb Downs would be an excellent addition.
We may very well need a new RG and RT on the OL. Getting a better LG that is more compatible with power gap schemes may also be desirable. And then there is JMS...
Many want to upgrade at Center in Linderbaum and draft a safety at 5 in Caleb Downs.
They offer an improvement in talent, which is great but they do not actually fill holes in our staring line up.
It will be interesting to see how NYG will create more cap space, if they will cut Okereke and or Runyan and create 2 more holes on the roster, or just go with extensions and restructurings, and cut Gano, Singletary, Hudson.
After that, CB, ILB, DT, WR are all pretty equal in my eyes.
Despite that, draft needs are irrelevant on days one and two, when you just draft the BPA, regardless of position. The only exceptions are QB, if you already have one, and RB, because good RBs can be found on day three.
Even on day three we should strongly favor taking the BPA, but I am fine taking need into account at that point as long as the grades are close.
This is the OL currently under contract:
Starters
LT A Thomas
LG J Runyan Jr
C JMS
RG J Kubas
RT M Mbow
Reserves
LT J Hudson
RT R Holskey
C B Hudson
Would Dart survive behind this line?
Regardless...
While this is best addressed after the first three weeks of free agency, I would say the positions that require immediate upgrade are:
OL, DT, WR, Corner
I should have just wrote that instead. Sums it up and it’s shorter.
1. WR - It's Nabers (with a huge injury ? mark) and Slayton and camp fodder. It's not something you can go into next season with. Doesn't mean you have to draft WR at #5 overall, but right now it's the thinnest position.
2. RT - Mbow is the only candidate for RT as of today. He's more suited to be the swing and developmental/future LT if all goes well.
3. RG - The only potential RG under contract for '26 is Jake Kubas on a futures deal, unless you count Mbow as a possibility there (I don't). GVR, Stinnie, Schlottman, Ezeudu, and Evan Neal are all free agents. That's almost your entire interior depth chart. Could flip flop this to #2 but the only reason I didn't is because it's easier to hide a problematic RG than it is a RT. Still, combined, this team has two glaring holes on the right side that must be addressed, and quality depth is also very important.
4. IDL - It all starts in the trenches. Dex is here for now, Roy Robertson-Harris is a cut-candidate, and Darius Alexander is promising. But you still need at least one impact DT and the depth quality, and those guys will get significant snaps, isn't there. You can make an argument the Giants will need 3 quality DL between FA and the draft.
5. CB - There's Adebo at one boundary corner, Phillips as a slot corner, and then you have question marks at the other boundary corner. Can this staff revive Banks as a player? Dubious. Can Rico Payton be a surprise impact starter? Who knows, but you can't count on these things. Can't have an obvious liability at CB.
That's my top 5. Just outside of that is ILB, because it's Okereke, Muasau, and Chris Board (really a STer) at the time being.
I expect by end of FA that the top 4 of these needs (at least) will be mitigated significantly. They must be aggressive at OL at minimum, this would likely be where the largest free agent contract would go, and two of the top four largest free agent contracts, at that.
Need will break the tie if there is one. If the highest rated guys on their board are Styles and Downs and they have a say, 87 grade for both of them, for example, and say they've already cut Okereke, I expect they would take Styles.
People talk about the importance of S in Harbaugh's system, look at what he spent to acquire and sign Roquan Smith.
And yes, Bobby Okereke is still under contract and worthless to that end.
In the 2nd round, getting an above average starter is a huge win. Beyond that, getting a solid starter is a big win.
Even at 5, it's far from automatic that youre going to get a great player, especially in this draft. You can't just go to the OL store and buy the best OL. You can only pick who's there.
It's so boring to talk about, but I only care if the player is good. And you won't know that for at least 5 months after the draft, sometimes much longer.
1.DL= Alexander showed flashes but we have 1 impact player and he maybe in decline. His decline puts this at the top of my list.
2.WR as above we have only 1 impact player and know prospects behind him. While we need a starter to be signed(Robinson or FA) we have to add another impact player.
3.DB - the cupboard is not bare but a lot of pieces trending the wrong way. A true impact DB changes the D and maybe brings up the play of the others.
4.OL - I expect a pair of signings so that we can be free to draft guys we can craft into good players. We really need a Swing T that can develop
WR-Tate would make this an excellent position
OL-actually our best unit overall last year...
RT/RG need vast upgrades and I am willing to give JMS one more year before I think about making a switch.
CB-this is a huge need,perhaps our biggest one.
I may even spend a big chunk of FA $ at this one.
IDL-Dexy is our best player but he needs a consistent stud next to him
ED-Fine
LB-Okereke is ok,but unless we can count on McFadden being 100%,this becomes a top priority.
S-This is a position that is not bad,but not really very good...Caleb Downs would be an excellent addition.
WR-Tate would make this an excellent position
OL-actually our best unit overall last year...
RT/RG need vast upgrades and I am willing to give JMS one more year before I think about making a switch.
CB-this is a huge need,perhaps our biggest one.
I may even spend a big chunk of FA $ at this one.
IDL-Dexy is our best player but he needs a consistent stud next to him
ED-Fine
LB-Okereke is ok,but unless we can count on McFadden being 100%, this becomes a top priority.
S-This is a position that is not bad,but not really very good...Caleb Downs would be an excellent addition.
We may very well need a new RG and RT on the OL. Getting a better LG that is more compatible with power gap schemes may also be desirable. And then there is JMS...
The OL needs to be addressed in a serious way.